Exploring the Salisbury Viaduct in Somerset County

Rusty Glessner taking in the sunrise over the Salisbury Viaduct.

The Salisbury Viaduct is just one of the many engineering marvels along the 150 mile-long Great Allegheny Passage, the longest multi-use rail trail in Pennsylvania.

Love locks on the Salisbury Viaduct near Meyersdale.
“Love locks” on the Salisbury Viaduct near Meyersdale.

Visited by thousands of hikers, bikers, sightseers, and photographers every year, the Salisbury Viaduct continues to impress people nearly 110 years after it was first built.

Hikers taking in the sunset from the Salisbury Viaduct along the Great Allegheny Passage.
Hikers taking in the sunset from the Salisbury Viaduct along the Great Allegheny Passage.

Salisbury Viaduct FAQs

Where exactly is the Salisbury Viaduct?

The Salisbury Viaduct is located just off of the Mason-Dixon Highway (or old 219 to locals) near Meyersdale, PA.
How to find the Salisbury Viaduct in Somerset County.

Can I park close to the Salisbury Viaduct?

Yes! There is a large, unpaved lot located along Johnnypopper Road, approximately 150 yards from the southern end of the viaduct.Johnnypopper Road sign near the parking area for the Salisbury Viaduct.

Can I navigate to the Salisbury Viaduct parking area by GPS?

Yes – use GPS coordinates 39.83133, -79.03996.
Aerial view of the Salisbury Viaduct.

When was the Salisbury Viaduct built?

The first train crossed the Salisbury Viaduct in 1912.

Informational sign at the Salisbury Viaduct.

How tall is the Salisbury Viaduct?

101 feet tall.
The steel trestles supporting the Salisbury Viaduct in Somerset County PA

How long is the Salisbury Viaduct?

1,908 feet long!
The Salisbury Viaduct disappears into the Pennsylvania foothills near Meyersdale.

Was anyone killed during the construction of the Salisbury Viaduct?

At least 7 men died during the construction of this massive steel railroad bridge.
History of accidents during the construction of the Salisbury Viaduct.

When was the Salisbury Viaduct last used for rail traffic?

It was abandoned as a rail through-route in 1975.
History of the Salisbury Viaduct.

What river does the Salisbury Viaduct cross over?

The Casselman River.
The Casselman River flowing beneath the Salisbury Viaduct.

Is the railway beneath the Salisbury Viaduct still active?

Yes! CSX Transportation still operates freight cars on the tracks below the Salisbury Viaduct, making it a popular destination for “trainspotters”.
The view to the east from on top of the Salisbury Viaduct in the PA Laurel Highlands.

Is it true there is a graveyard near the Salisbury Viaduct?

Yes – there is a small cemetery near the northern end of the Salisbury Viaduct.
A small cemetery near the northern end of the Salisbury Viaduct.

Are there places to stop and rest near the Salisbury Viaduct?

Yes – there are benches at either end of the viaduct.Rest area near the southern end of the Salisbury Viaduct.

Is the Salisbury Viaduct wheelchair-accessible?

The path from the parking area to the viaduct is gravel and/or crushed stone. The walking/biking surface of the viaduct itself is smooth concrete.
Sunrise over the Salisbury Viaduct near Meyersdale Pennsylvania

Is the Salisbury Viaduct a good place to watch the sunrise?

Yes indeed!
Summer sunrise over the Casselman River and the Salisbury Viaduct

Is the Salisbury Viaduct a good place to watch the sunset?

Again – yes!
An epic sunset over the Salisbury Viaduct along the Great Allegheny Passage.

Where is the Salisbury Viaduct in relation to the Big Savage Tunnel?

The viaduct is approximately 10 miles northwest of the Big Savage Tunnel, as the crow flies.
.The well-lit and refurbished Big Savage Tunnel along the Great Allegheny Passage in Somerset County PA.

Where is the Salisbury Viaduct in relation to Ohiopyle State Park?

The viaduct is approximately 24 miles southeast of Ohiopyle State Park, as the crow flies.
The Youghiogheny River as it passes under the Low Bridge along the Great Allegheny Passage at Ohiopyle State Park.

Who maintains the Salisbury Viaduct?

As with most of the Great Allegheny Passage, the viaduct is maintained by local volunteers. You can read more about the Allegheny Trail Alliance on their official website.An American flag hanging over Route 219 along the Salisbury Viaduct.


Kinzua Bridge State Park is home to what was, when it was built, the longest and tallest railroad bridge in the world!

Side view of the Kinzua Skywalk in McKean County, PA.
Side view of the Kinzua Skywalk in McKean County, PA.

Hit by a tornado in 2003, the Kinzua Viaduct was reborn as the 600 foot-long Kinzua Skywalk, which enables visitors to walk out to a vantage point 200 feet above the Kinzua Creek Gorge.

Train tracks along the Kinzua Skywalk at Kinzua Bridge State Park.
Train tracks along the Kinzua Skywalk at Kinzua Bridge State Park.

Nearby Attractions

As mentioned briefly, the Big Savage Tunnel is another engineering marvel along the Great Allegheny Passage, near mile marker 23.

Approaching the Big Savage Tunnel along the Great Allegheny Passage in Somerset County, PA.
Approaching the Big Savage Tunnel along the Great Allegheny Passage in Somerset County, PA.

This 3,294 foot long tunnel is located near the Deal trailhead of the Great Allegheny Passage, and for those simply looking for a quick day trip you’ll find a map/directions to parking HERE.

A man on a recumbent bicycle prepares to travel the 3,294 foot Big Savage Tunnel along the Great Allegheny Passage.
A man on a recumbent bicycle prepares to travel the 3,294 foot Big Savage Tunnel along the Great Allegheny Passage.

The Mason and Dixon Line Park is a small but educational park at the southernmost point of the Great Allegheny Passage in Pennsylvania.

Granite monument at the Mason and Dixon Line Park along the Great Allegheny Passage.
The Mason and Dixon Line Park along the Great Allegheny Passage.

Surveyed to settle a land dispute between two prominent English colonial families (the Penns and the Calverts), the Mason-Dixon line later became famous as the line between free and slave states prior to the Civil War.

Granite monument showing the family crests of both the Penn and Calvert families at the Mason and Dixon Line Line Park along the Great Allegheny Passage.
Granite monument showing the family crests of both the Penn and Calvert families at the Mason and Dixon Line Line Park along the Great Allegheny Passage.

The Great Allegheny Passage also passses through Ohiopyle State Park, one of western Pennsylvania’s finest waterfall parks!

An autumn view of Cucumber Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.
Cucumber Falls, near the Great Allegheny Passage at Ohiopyle State Park.

Connellsville in neighboring Fayette County is another trailhead along the Great Allegheny Passage.

It is also home to a few outstanding waterfalls, one being Robinson Falls, which has ties to a young George Washington!

Robinson Falls in Connellsville PA
Robinson Falls in Connellsville PA

Also while in Connellsville, check out East Park Falls in the heart of downtown.

East Park Falls Connellsville PA Fayette County
East Park Falls Connellsville PA

Hippie Shower Falls is located along the Great Allegheny Passage between mile markers 85 and 86, just south of Connellsville.

Hippie Shower Falls in the summer.
Hippie Shower Falls in the summer.

If mountain vistas are your thing, be sure to check out “The 14 Best Scenic Overlooks in the Laurel Highlands” for directions to ALL the best views in the area!

The author photographing an autumn sunrise at Baughman Rock Overlook.
The author photographing an autumn sunrise at Baughman Rock Overlook.

Exploring Laurel Hill State Park in Somerset County will introduce you to some of the best things to see and do at this iconic Laurel Highlands destination.

Jones Mill Run Dam at Laurel Hill State Park.
Jones Mill Run Dam at Laurel Hill State Park.

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Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and creator of the PA Bucket List travel blog.